More trains planned for Redditch to Birmingham line

Plans by Network Rail to increase the number of services between Redditch and Birmingham are to be examined by the Planning Inspectorate.

It wants to build about two miles (3km) of additional track between Alvechurch and Redditch in Worcestershire and update Alvechurch station.

The application will be considered by the Planning Inspectorate over the next six months.

If approved, one extra service would run each hour in either direction.

A Network Rail spokesman said: "By 2020, the total number of passenger journeys into Birmingham is predicted to increase by 32%.

"The cross city line is one of the busiest routes into Birmingham city centre with the line expected to be operating at around 115% capacity in terms of the number of passengers on trains during the morning and evening rush hour.

"As part of helping to prepare for this anticipated growth we are proposing to increase the number of passenger services on the branch line between Birmingham and Redditch from two trains to three trains per hour in either direction."